Advertise on fullfatrr.com »

  • You are currently viewing fullfatrr.com as a guest - Register to take part or Log In
Home > Maintenance & Mods (L322) > Dual Battery Installation
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 2 12>
Print this entire topic · 
4434Morrison



Member Since: 02 Mar 2020
Location: Folkestone
Posts: 185

United Kingdom 2012 Range Rover Vogue SE TDV8 Santorini Black
Dual Battery Installation

Just completed a dual battery installation on my 2012 4.4 TDV8 VSE using the electrical harness supplied by:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/L322-Range-Rove...3972504954

Notes to the electrical harness...
I was not overly impressed by the wiring and the connectors on the harness. The video link on the bottom of the flea bay product page shows a different harness to the one actually received. The connectors were not tight and needed nipping up to tighten them. None-the-less I have installed it and it does work.

Issues during installation...
The installation video shows the 5th Fuse being used for a connection, I had to use the 2nd fuse (rear wiper) instead as the 5th fuse location was blank.

The installation video shows the battery being installed on top of the load space, which would have been a total pain having to remove the battery when accessing the spare wheel, locking nut or scissor jack etc.

The quick release clamps on the battery are too bulky as they stop the plastic surround of the cubby hole being pushed fully home.

The wiring installed as decribed above:



Before placing the battery inside the cubby hole I had to move the main vehicle wiring harness from the floor of the cubby hole. That harness is held in place by plastic clips attached to screws that are firmly fitted to the floor of the cubby hole. To ensure that the screws did not work their way through the battery casing I removed the forward most of the two screws to create sufficient space for the battery to sit level on the floor and below the bottom of the plastic surround of the cubby hole.

The vehicle wiring harness now goes around the side of the battery.


The Quick release battery terminal clamps supplied with the wiring kit are too bulky and do not allow the plastic surround to clip into the rear retaining holes. I could have cut out the plastic surround but prefer to fit normal battery ternimal clamps in due course.


These quick release battery clamps will have to be replaced (when I can get out to buy some) to allow the plastic cubby hole surround to fully clip into place.


The battery and wiring harness now in place.


Everything back together with the plastic tub from the cubby hole now in the recess, held in place by the side cargo net.

 2012 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Current
2015 E220 with AMG Sport Pack - Currently driven by my son
2010 3.6 TDV8 Vogue - Written off by my son

Post #554862 22nd May 2020 1:36pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Tinman



Member Since: 22 Mar 2017
Location: kent
Posts: 1189

United Kingdom 2017 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Silicon Silver

Nice easy job Thumbs Up

Post #554880 22nd May 2020 2:46pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
DrRob



Member Since: 16 Apr 2015
Location: Petersfield, Hampshire
Posts: 4303

United Kingdom 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE TDV8 Buckingham Blue

Is this so you have more juice to start it? Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------

Post #554882 22nd May 2020 2:57pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
wayneg



Member Since: 05 Jun 2013
Location: South Fremantle, Australia ( ex London )
Posts: 798

Australia 2007 Range Rover Vogue SE TDV8 Java Black

What are you using the 2nd battery for? I would think the guage of wire is much to light to carry any significant load. The loom can be easily lifted up and out of the battery area and run above the fuse box, it is now very vunrable if the battery moves as its not secured down.. A much more heavy duty instal can be made with a metre of decent cable and a voltage sensing relay capable of handling the current.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-140A-VOLTAG...Sw2WZbvm~U 2007 TDV8 VSE
2003 TD6 gone.
2002 P38a gone
1999 P38a gone
1997 p38a gone
1993 VSE gone
1992 VSE gone
1966 Series 2a with V8 conversion gone

Post #554885 22nd May 2020 3:14pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
4434Morrison



Member Since: 02 Mar 2020
Location: Folkestone
Posts: 185

United Kingdom 2012 Range Rover Vogue SE TDV8 Santorini Black

@Wayneg - I agree that the harness is relatively poor quality and not engineered very well as stated in my first post.

Good idea on moving the main vehicle harness above the fuse box, will have a look at that over the weekend and report back.

The wiring kit does have a voltage sensing relay rated at 100A, again will be happy to upgrade the kit in due course.

Thanks for your input....

I recently sat in the car waiting for a friend and listening to the radio without the engine running and had to charge the battery in order to start the car due to loss of battery power.

Further, when I was installing the LED bulb kit I had left some of the doors and the rear open resulting in a flat battery.

I also drive between the UK and Europe several times a year, a distance of around 1,500 miles each way. The trips take about 18 hours drive time each way, two or three rest stops of about 2 hours each, during which I have a nap in the car.

I have installed the second battery purely as a backup to avoid a flat battery arising from the above issues.

John 2012 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Current
2015 E220 with AMG Sport Pack - Currently driven by my son
2010 3.6 TDV8 Vogue - Written off by my son


Last edited by 4434Morrison on 22nd May 2020 4:08pm. Edited 2 times in total

Post #554887 22nd May 2020 3:23pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Joe90



Member Since: 29 Apr 2010
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 6409

England 

voltage sensing relay rated at 100A Shocked Question .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember Wink
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Post #554888 22nd May 2020 3:25pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
4434Morrison



Member Since: 02 Mar 2020
Location: Folkestone
Posts: 185

United Kingdom 2012 Range Rover Vogue SE TDV8 Santorini Black

@Joe90,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-140A-VOLTAG...3975468910

This kit will allow automatic charging of the secondary battery and the main original battery while the car is running. When the ignition is off the batteries will disconnect after a delayed time and the state of charge of the second battery is kept for weeks at a time meaning you will not come back to a Range Rover which wont start because it has a weak battery. 2012 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Current
2015 E220 with AMG Sport Pack - Currently driven by my son
2010 3.6 TDV8 Vogue - Written off by my son


Last edited by 4434Morrison on 22nd May 2020 4:48pm. Edited 1 time in total

Post #554890 22nd May 2020 3:43pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Alistair



Member Since: 11 Feb 2011
Location: Peterborough / Bordeaux / Andorra
Posts: 7937

United Kingdom 2013 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 Santorini Black

It's not voltage sensing - it's switched via the ignition

Depending on your requirement - that may be better or worse than voltage sensing......

I'd guess from the photos, that there is nothing connected to the second battery - in which case, ignition switched is likely better. All drain is on the main battery - then when you turn the key, the batteries are connected together which gives some extra juice to start the car. Ideally turn the key, count to 20 then start if you suspect the battery is somewhat flat - that would put less strain on the cable.

A voltage sensing relay typically connects both batteries together when the alternator is running - and the voltage over a certain level. The time that makes sense is if there is a load on the second battery - like a fridge - that will be running when the ignition is off. It is intended to protect the main (starter) battery from draining.

Post #554897 22nd May 2020 4:23pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Joe90



Member Since: 29 Apr 2010
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 6409

England 

You have two things: the "voltage sensing relay" (as Alistair says) which clicks in when the ignition comes on, and a 100 amp fuse on the main cable to the battery to prevent catastrophe Thumbs Up .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember Wink
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Post #554906 22nd May 2020 5:24pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Alistair



Member Since: 11 Feb 2011
Location: Peterborough / Bordeaux / Andorra
Posts: 7937

United Kingdom 2013 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 Santorini Black

Almost..... the relay isn't a true voltage sensing one - its triggered by the ignition - that's the independent connection that goes to the mini fuse - when that terminal gets power of roughly 12v it triggers the relay making a connection across the 2 main terminals

A true VSR monitors the voltage on one of the main terminals & triggers at something like 13.8 and will stay connected until the voltage drops below 12.7 at which point it will disconnect again. A VSR doesn't have an independent trigger connection.

The 100A could be either the fuse - or the relay, which is likely to be rated at 100A (likely both but prob easier to read off the side of the relay housing) - that is the maximum that it can switch - though usually they can handle far more than the rating - but I'd be less confident in the cable....

Post #554909 22nd May 2020 5:40pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
GGDR



Member Since: 26 Nov 2016
Location: London
Posts: 3545

United Kingdom 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE TDV8 Stornoway Grey

A VSR isn't expensive. Nor a 100a fuse.
Good peace of mind right?

. Cheers, Greg
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2011 Vogue SE 4.4 with lots of toys in Stornaway

Post #554911 22nd May 2020 5:58pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Alistair



Member Since: 11 Feb 2011
Location: Peterborough / Bordeaux / Andorra
Posts: 7937

United Kingdom 2013 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 Santorini Black

There's a fuse in the kit linked in the original post - but not visible in the pictures Thumbs Up

Post #554912 22nd May 2020 6:10pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Alistair



Member Since: 11 Feb 2011
Location: Peterborough / Bordeaux / Andorra
Posts: 7937

United Kingdom 2013 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 Santorini Black

VSR - depends on what you want. If it's sole purpose is to boost starting capacity, then you don't want a VSR - as it will actively prevent the second battery helping if the main battery is below 12.7v.......

Post #554914 22nd May 2020 6:15pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
wayneg



Member Since: 05 Jun 2013
Location: South Fremantle, Australia ( ex London )
Posts: 798

Australia 2007 Range Rover Vogue SE TDV8 Java Black

The thin wires on the install in question would surely melt under starting load if the cranking battery was flat? I doubt very much that the relay from that kit is anything more than a standard 12v relay rated at 100a, it's just switched via ignition and not by voltage increase.
I think the best option for a proper VSR is the 2nd Red one explained in this video They are about A$50 25 quid. I have similar in my car.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew4zLC3ckm8 2007 TDV8 VSE
2003 TD6 gone.
2002 P38a gone
1999 P38a gone
1997 p38a gone
1993 VSE gone
1992 VSE gone
1966 Series 2a with V8 conversion gone

Post #554948 23rd May 2020 1:07am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
4434Morrison



Member Since: 02 Mar 2020
Location: Folkestone
Posts: 185

United Kingdom 2012 Range Rover Vogue SE TDV8 Santorini Black

Many thanks for everyone's knowledgeable input on the dual battery system that I installed.

At this stage I only need the second battery as a backup to the main battery. I will in due course upgrade the cable and the relay as advised.

I will certainly re-route the main vehicle harness over the top of the fuse box this weekend as a priority.

It should not be difficult to produce a second battery harness of the necessary quality based upon the comments received about this install. This issue clearly is that the kit I purchased (as I suspected when I received it) is not quite up to the job.

I have a relative who is an electrical engineer. I will speak to him over the next couple of weeks and ask him to design and fabricate a proper kit, taking into consideration the comments received here.

Thank you to everyone for your comments and input.

John 2012 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Current
2015 E220 with AMG Sport Pack - Currently driven by my son
2010 3.6 TDV8 Vogue - Written off by my son

Post #554952 23rd May 2020 3:57am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 2 12>
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
fullfatrr.com RSS Feed - All Forums


Switch to Mobile site